The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-06-01
AMONG THE CHURCHES.
Facts and Opinions on Matters of Inter-
est in the Religious World.

A most interesting development of the
principle of evangelical union in missionary
labor has been successfully In operation for ten
years in Japan. In June, 1877, the missionary
agents of three churches resolved to enter
heartily into an united effort in their mission
work, so as to secure the organization of all ex-
listing native churches under their respective
care into one body. The three churches
in question were the Reformed Dutch
Church of America, the Presbyterian
North Church OF America, and the
United Presbyterian Church of Scotland
Two Others have since Joined in the movement
namely, the Presbyterian Church South OF
America, and the Reformed (German) Church
or the United States. There is thus, at present,
fivefold representation in the Union Church
OF Christ in Japan, which is the name given TO
the combined organization that has thus been
brought into being.
The revision of the Westminster con-
fession is contemplated by some OF the leaders
of the Free Church of Scotland, and the opin-
ions expressed by some of the most Thoughts
full of the Presbyterian ministers are interest,"
ing. Professor Blaikie asserts his belief in the
necessity of definite creed In a church. But
while asserting to the confession, he is none
the less persuaded that ii is too long too elab-
crate and too minute TO be imposed absolutely,
in its every article and clause, on all minister's
and that some relaxation ought to bc allowed
He would abridgo the document and modify
the existing formula OF assent. While main
tanning the necessity of creeds for a church.
he must own, however, that the Scriptural
authority for creeds Is extremely small IL il
exists at all' DR.. Marcus Dods seems to think
that mere revision would excite much ecclesi-
astical strife, and effect very little good.
Now that the results of the past year
are becoming apparent in the year books of
the several denominations, IL is seen that the
gains Of the various Protestant Clutches of this
country aggregate for the past year over half II
million members. The largest gains are In the
two branches of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, thu North" and SOUTH" which aRs
gregate 10000. Tho Baptists come next In or
der, with an increase OF 100000 members. Fol
lowing arc the Luthcrans, with an increase OF
1926, and then the Presbyterians with 27,92O
and the Episcopalians, who report an increase
of 1854. The other denominations add largely
TO these numbers.
The old gibe to the effect that 1t takes
u dollar to get dino to the heathcn does not
have facts to back 1t. In the administration of
the Methodist Missionary Society out of every
500 contributed 500 goes to tho missions
direct; 81 u TO Incidental expenses that is,
interest and annuitios, expenses of bishops In
visiting missions, insurance, exchange etc.,
81 rs to ''ofiice xpensesnthatis, salaries. trav
cling expenses, stationery, etc, after deduct
ing amounts received from rental of mission
building; ninety-ono cents to disseminating |
missionary information.
An enormous oflicial-looking document
has arrived in England from Siberia, In which |
number OF convicts expressed, in touching |
words, their gratitude for the pamphlets and
portions of Scripture which the British Tract
Society had sent out TO them. At the foot OF
the neatly written letter long string of the
names of tho convicts appeared. Some were
written In a Arm, clear hand, many more family |
and ilegiblY.-w while not n ew- ar tha-no
which seems to be a x all the world over.
The Rev. II. U. Weitbrecht, G. M. S. |
missionary at Batala, has issued pamphlet |
ON "infidel Literature In India" It is stated |
that native publishing firm In Lahore is dis
seminating transations In different languages
of new European infidcl publications from
Central India 10 the Afghan border. To some
extent this propaganda of unbelief and ag-
Mysticism has influenced Europeans; but its |
chief influence has been among natives, both |
the English-speakng class and those who un- |
derstand the vernacular only.
The work of the American Bible So |
ciety the past year has been large. According |
to the annual report, the cash receipts were
$t93,356, and the expenditures were S554, 400. |
During the year i,6T5,s97 copies of tho Scrip
lures were printed and purchased. The aggre-
gate circulation I'm foreign lands was b21,350
copies. In scventy-one years the society has
issued 4s,324,gid copies, which have been dis
trbuted In all parts of the world.
Christian work is moving forward in
the Hermit nation. A Bible committee, for the
translation of the Bible, has been formed
by the missionaries at Seoul. Several Coreans
have been baptized and others are studying |
the Word. This, at present, Is done in
private way, because OF the existing laws
against the introduction of Christianity.
The Christian Adoocate, the official
Methodist Church paper, publishes document
of John Wesley, In which he says: 81 believe |
there Is no liturgy In the world, either In |
ancient or modern language, which breathes
more of a solid, spiritual rational piety than
the Common Prayer of the Church OF Eng
land"
The women Of the Presbyterian Church |
in this country are said 10 have raised in tho
past sixteen years az, 5000 for missions.